In The News

Grave mistake ends up in church court

Grave mistake ends up in church court

A Church Court has been convened to deal with a mistake which resulted in a widow being denied a grave beside her husband.

The mistake, which was made by the Reverend Nigel Carter at St. John’s Churchyard in Walsall Wood in the West Midlands, resulted in a man being buried in the plot which had been selected by Jean Best.

Mrs. Best had been granted permission by the Church to be buried in the plot beside the grave of her husband Michael. Because of problems with the ground in the churchyard it was not possible to dig Mr. Best’s grave deep enough to facilitate a second coffin in the future.

Daniel Hastelow was buried in the plot. He had been murdered in Majorca in 2008 and his family had his remains exhumed on the island and reburied in St. John’s Churchyard. 

The Consistory Court has now been asked by Mrs. Best to have Mr. Hastelow’s body moved to another plot, a proposal which is being opposed by the Hastelow family.

The Church Court is expected to deliver its ruling next week.

 

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